The Lisbon Treaty and the Czech Republic: past imperfect, future uncertain

Abstract

This article explores the problems with the Lisbon Treaty (LT) ratification process in the Czech Republic and its repercussions for the EU. We will proceed in four steps: First, we will describe the recent developments in the Czech domestic scene regarding the elites´ attitudes towards the European Union. Second, we will present a more detailed analysis of the Czech debates about the LT. In the third step, we will sketch some probable scenarios of future development. Finally, we will briefly point to some limitations of the existing theories of European integration which are related to their inability to reflect the profound changes in the integration process caused by the Eastern enlargement.

Keywords

• Lisbon Treaty
• Czech Republic
• European integration theories